He was the sun-kissed, guitar-slinging half of the biggest pop duo on the planet. While George Michael eventually became a global icon for the LGBTQ+ community, the man standing next to him in the short-shorts and oversized "CHOOSE LIFE" t-shirts often faced the same prying questions. People have spent decades asking: is Andrew Ridgeley gay? Honestly, it’s a question born from the sheer, neon-soaked intensity of Wham! and the deep bond the two shared.
But if you’re looking for a simple "yes" or "no," the history points firmly in one direction.
The Truth About Those Wham! Dating Rumors
To understand why people are still Googling this in 2026, you have to look at the 1980s. Wham! was built on a foundation of "pretty boy" aesthetics and a friendship so close it felt almost subversive at the time. George and Andrew were inseparable. They lived together, worked together, and conquered the world together.
Because George Michael eventually came out as gay—initially telling Andrew and backup singer Shirlie Kemp in an Ibiza hotel room in 1983—many fans just assumed Andrew was on the same path. They were a package deal, right?
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Well, not exactly.
Andrew was actually the "lad" of the duo. While George was privately wrestling with his identity and the terrifying prospect of telling his traditional Greek father, Andrew was out on the town. He was the one with the reputation for being a massive hit with the ladies. In fact, George Michael himself often spoke about how he envied Andrew’s easy confidence and his natural success with women. In his 1999 interview with The Advocate, George explicitly stated that while he understood why people thought they were a couple, Andrew "loves being filthy with women."
George basically debunked the rumor himself, laughing off the idea that Andrew was anything other than straight.
A Decades-Long Romance with Keren Woodward
If you want proof of Andrew’s orientation, you don't need to look much further than his relationship history. It’s not a list of "showmances" or PR stunts. It’s actually pretty grounded.
The most significant chapter of his life was his 27-year relationship with Keren Woodward. You know her—she’s the blonde powerhouse from Bananarama.
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- 1990: They started dating after years of being in the same pop circles.
- The Move: They eventually ditched the London madness for a 15th-century converted barn in Cornwall.
- Family Life: Andrew helped raise Keren’s son, Thomas, and the couple lived a remarkably quiet, low-key life by the coast.
Twenty-seven years. That is a lifetime in the entertainment industry. When they finally split in 2017, it wasn't because of a "secret life" coming to light. They just grew apart, as couples do after nearly three decades. Keren has even gone on record recently to shut down rumors of a reconciliation, noting that while they are still on good terms, they’ve moved into different phases of their lives.
Why the Question "Is Andrew Ridgeley Gay" Still Persists
It’s kinda fascinating how certain rumors just won’t die. Part of it is the "guilt by association" logic—the idea that if his best friend and creative partner was gay, Andrew must be too.
Then there’s the fashion. The 80s were a time of blurred gender lines in pop music. We’re talking about crop tops, highlights, and enough hairspray to dissolve the ozone layer. To a modern eye, that aesthetic screams "queer culture," but in 1984, that was just what a heartthrob looked like. Andrew played into it because it worked. It sold records. It made girls scream.
Also, Andrew has always been incredibly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community. He was the first person George Michael felt safe coming out to. Think about that for a second. In an era that was incredibly homophobic, Andrew didn't flinch. He didn't distance himself. He supported his friend's secret for years, even when it might have been easier for his own "macho" image to keep George in the closet. That kind of deep, platonic male love is often misinterpreted as romantic love by the public.
Recent Relationships and Life Today
Since the split with Keren, Andrew hasn't exactly been a hermit. In 2022, he went public with Amanda Cronin, a model and socialite. They were spotted at Wimbledon looking very much like a couple. However, by May 2023, Amanda confirmed they had split. Her comments afterward were actually pretty telling. She called him "smart, funny, sexy, and cool," but mentioned he might not be "relationship material" for the long haul after having been in such a long-term partnership for so most of his adult life.
Basically, Andrew Ridgeley is a man who likes his freedom and his privacy.
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He spends his time between London and Cornwall, surfs, cycles, and works on preserving the Wham! legacy. His 2019 memoir, Wham! George and Me, is less of a celebrity tell-all and more of a "love letter" to a friendship. It’s honest, it’s poignant, and it makes it very clear that his bond with George was soul-deep, but not sexual.
Final Insights on the Andrew Ridgeley Narrative
So, what have we actually learned?
- Identity: Andrew has consistently identified as straight and his long-term public relationships support this.
- The George Connection: Their bond was a "soulmate" level friendship, but George Michael himself confirmed it was never romantic or sexual from Andrew's side.
- Modern Perspective: In 2026, we’re better at understanding that men can be close, emotional, and stylish without it defining their sexuality.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the real story of Wham!, skip the tabloid gossip. Grab a copy of Andrew’s autobiography. It’s the most authentic look at that era you’re going to get. It’s also worth watching the 2023 Wham! documentary on Netflix if you haven't seen it yet. It uses a ton of never-before-seen footage that shows the raw, goofy, and very "bro-y" nature of their relationship.
Stop looking for a "scandal" where there isn't one. The real story is much cooler: two kids from school who conquered the world and stayed best friends until the very end. That's a lot rarer than a secret coming-out story anyway.